“It’s pretty bleak waking up off the back of a loss like that.”
Garry Ringrose was up for media duties the day after Ireland were shook by the All Blacks, at Eden Park.
As a try-scorer and one of Ireland’s better players, on a day they lost 42-19, the Leinster centre was a guy that not too many hard questions would be thrown at. It was an easy enough go for Ringrose, who also did a post-match chat with Sky Sport NZ, and he was not pushed much on a couple of crucial moments that turned the game.
The first arrived when Ireland were in the ascendency and pressing to add to their 5-0 lead. Johnny Sexton chipped over the Kiwi lines and Ringrose took the bouncing ball at full pelt. He almost had Jamison Gibson Park away for a dart at the sticks, but Beauden Barrett read the danger, made the intercept and counter-attacked.
Big moment in #NZLvIRE game with Ireland 5-0 up. Barrett comes up with a vital intercept. Certain try for JGP? #NZvIRE pic.twitter.com/o024AlxbNf
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) July 2, 2022
Later in the game, Ringrose can a couple of poor moments when he tried to link up with James Lowe, on the left wing.
On the first occasion, his pass to Lowe was too far forward and it flew out of play. When they had a chance to connect again, Ringrose should have held on to the ball.
It was not that the centre should be playing conservatively, it was that he had juggled a pass from Sexton before getting control of it. That lapse in an attack that was already getting loose gave the All Blacks opportunity to press forward.
Ringrose went for broke, could not find Lowe and Sevu Reece picked up the loose ball to run home a try from almost 80 metres out.
Garry Ringrose fails to find James Lowe. (Credit: Premier Sports)“We have a chance to do something special, this weekend” – Garry Ringrose
Following Ireland’s 42-19 defeat in that First Test, Ronan O’Gara spoke about how forcing passes and kicks had cost Andy Farrell’s side dearly.
“From Ireland’s point of view,” O’Gara said, “they have to understand that forcing passes in the URC or in Europe may lead to a turnover.
“Forcing passes against New Zealand at Eden Park leads to under the sticks. It’s hard to know if you haven’t experienced or tasted that before. After this weekend, they’ll understand that the ball is very, very precious.
“For me, looking at that, and only having one look at it, you could see opportunities in attack for Ireland. If they can get the ball beyond the seventh or eight defender – as they press hard – there is a lot of space there. For Ireland, that can be an area where they go after New Zealand next week.”
As for Garry Ringrose, he will be hoping to get another start with Robbie Henshaw in the centre for Ireland, as the tourists look to level the Test Series at Forsyth Stadium, in Dunedin.
“We’re in New Zealand trying to do something special,” he said. “We didn’t do it on Saturday, but we have a chance to do it this weekend.
“I’m sure they will dissect us and find weaknesses they didn’t get a chance to expose in the game. For us, trying to think a step ahead and review our game in details, so we can see where we can get better as well as the areas they did expose us in.
“Equally, we have got to try and find things that we missed in game. It’s all hands on deck this week with plenty of work to do.”
